Apart from the best-selling and very popular OPPO F1s, two other handsets from international companies are dominating the midrange Android smartphone category in terms of sales here in the Philippines this Q4 2016. We have the selfie-centric Vivo V5 and the metal-clad Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime.

When I walked around SM San Lazaro CyberZone last Saturday, many sales reps in gadget shops informed me that these two models are now in a heated battle for the number 2 position in the Php 12,000 to Php 14,000 price bracket. So I'm no longer surprised when I get messages from my young readers asking me which of the two phones - separated by a Php 1,000 price difference - is better.

If you're one of them, this TP post is for you.

Officially introduced in the Philippines last November 23, 2016, Php 12,990 Vivo V5 supersedes the V3 as the Chinese tech company's new midrange Android smartphone starting this Yuletide Season and coming into Q1 2017.

Donning a 5.5-inch HD IPS screen protected by a 2.5D Gorilla Glass face and complemented by a sleek back plate with metallic sheen, Vivo V5 is a gorgeous midrange Android smartphone that's made specifically for consumers who love to take selfies.

The device sports a whopping 20 MegaPixel resolution from cam with f/2.0 aperture, 1/2.8" sensor size, and Softlight LED flash for enhanced low light performance. Powered by the company's facial beautification software, this camera delivers selfies that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram.

Under the hood, Vivo V5 runs its Funtouch OS 2.6 skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with a 64-Bit 1.5 GHz Octa Core ARM Cortex A53 and Mali T860 based MediaTek MT6750 chipset, has 4GB of RAM for ultra-smooth multitasking, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that can easily be expanded via the secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot. On top of these, the handset has a non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion battery pack, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, and 4G LTE Cat6 support.

On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime was released in the Philippines last October 10, 2016 and has official suggested retail price of Php 13,990.

At its heart, the Galaxy J7 Prime runs its TouchWiz-skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 64-bit Octa-Core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 and Mali-T830MP2 based Exynos 7870 processor, has 3GB of RAM, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that you can beef up using the dedicated microSD card expansion slot.

So which of the two is better?

Perhaps, it will be easier for us to answer that question after we take a look at this side-by-side specs comparison table:

Studying the content, I'd say that there's no clear or resounding winner in terms of technical specifications. I mean, it's a mixed bag.

Vivo V5 wins in the following departments:
1. It's thinner and lighter.
2. Its 20 MegaPixel front cam with Sony Sensor stands head and shoulder above the 8MP selfie cam of the J7 Prime.
3. MT6750 has a better GPU compared to Exynos 7870, which should result in smoother gaming and overall touch experience if a bit.
4. 4GB of RAM - usually found only in flagship level releases - is a real treat at this price point.
5. The AK4376 Hi-Fi chip should make audiophiles really happy.

Conversely, Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime is superior in these areas:
1. It has a higher resolution Full HD 5.5-inch display, which means that it can show clearer details. Though, we should note that IPS has better viewing angles versus plain TFT.
2. The battery's capacity is bigger by 300 mAh.
3. There's a dedicated microSD card memory expansion slot so the user won't have to compromise or sacrifice Dual SIM capability to get more storage.

In terms of design and build, for me, Galaxy J7 Prime has an advantage -- only because its shell is crafted predominantly from real metal which is more opulent and durable.

But then, we have to consider that the Korean Giant's offering is more expensive by Php 1,000. So we ask ourselves, 'Are the advantages of this release enough to explain the price difference?' You tell me.

As a conclusion, based on all the information presented, I believe Vivo V5 would be a better choice for consumers who love to take selfies and to listen to music on the go as well as those who often run multiple applications on their device all at the same time. On the other hand, if you want a smartphone with a clearer display, a sleek aluminum body, and a dedicated microSD card expansion slot instead of a mere hybrid nanoSIM slot plus you don't mind shelling out a thousand bucks more, then Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime could be right for you.